MUCUS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does mucus mean? 

• MUCUS (noun)
  The noun MUCUS has 1 sense:

1. protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium

  Familiarity information: MUCUS used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUCUS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Protective secretion of the mucous membranes; in the gut it lubricates the passage of food and protects the epithelial cells; in the nose and throat and lungs it can make it difficult for bacteria to penetrate the body through the epithelium

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

mucous secretion; mucus

Hypernyms ("mucus" is a kind of...):

secretion (a functionally specialized substance (especially one that is not a waste) released from a gland or cell)

Meronyms (substance of "mucus"):

mucin (a nitrogenous substance found in mucous secretions; a lubricant that protects body surfaces)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "mucus"):

phlegm; sputum (expectorated matter; saliva mixed with discharges from the respiratory passages; in ancient and medieval physiology it was believed to cause sluggishness)

snot (nasal mucus)

booger (dried nasal mucus)

leucorrhea; leukorrhea (discharge of white mucous material from the vagina; often an indication of infection)

Derivation:

mucous (of or secreting or covered with or resembling mucus)

 Context examples 

This mucus can cause problems in digestion, breathing, and body cooling.

(Cystic Fibrosis, NCI Dictionary)

A vaccine preparation containing mucus 1 (MUC1) peptide and the adjuvant poly-ICLC with potential immunostimulatory and antineoplastic activities.

(MUC1 Peptide-Poly-ICLC Vaccine, NCI Thesaurus)

Containing or resembling mucin, the main compound in mucus.

(Mucinous, NCI Dictionary)

It was a yellowish brown and seemed coated with a rough and half-dry mucus.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Colon crypt cells renew the lining of the intestine and make mucus.

(Colon crypt, NCI Dictionary)

This causes the bronchi to make large amounts of mucus and can lead to a chronic cough and breathing problems.

(Chronic Bronchitis, NCI Dictionary)

It may occur with other symptoms, including a runny or stuffy nose, extra mucus in the back of the throat, wheezing, shortness of breath, or heartburn.

(Chronic cough, NCI Dictionary)

The lungs trap air or collapse, fill with fluid, and produce extra mucus.

(Chronic Lung Disorder, NICHD)

A type of cancer that begins in cells that line certain internal organs and produce mucin (the main component of mucus).

(Mucinous Adenocarcinoma, NCI Dictionary)

A polypoid lesion that arises from the cervix and contains mucus.

(Mucous Polyp of Cervix, NCI Thesaurus)